Okanogan - not as touristy as the Methow or Chelan, hotter, drier, and better lakes.

Ballard. I walk around the shops like a tourist.

6. Surf

Hey I live by La Push!

And The Rivers Edge blows. They had pretty good seafood when they first opened up. People don't understand why there's no great seafood out here. It's because all the locals catch their own fish and the tourist season is so short.

our mayor is not nearly as tasty as real berries.

The seafood might blow, but those pies are pretty damn tasty.

France. Or Italy.

But I go in the Spring. Summer's nice here.

I also fly to Santa Barbara for Christmas week (plus an extra day) and stay with relatives, surfing most days (after a brief two day get in shape kick) off UCSB, and sometimes go down mid-February as well.

This time of year I sometimes drive up to Vancouver BC to go swimming - nicer beaches, water's warmer.

Wherever the psilocybin gods decide to take me.

That vacation sounds fabulous!!

I work most weekends (plus regular week), so I haven't had a weekend getaway in a few years. If I could, I'd go to Lake Quinalt on the peninsula.

The Boeing flight museum! It's wonderfully air conditioned and your inner child can geek out on all the planes. In the WWI section/gallery they have a model trench, not with the piped in scent-o-trench like in London's Imperial War Museum, but still geektatsic fun for all those wannabe Wilfred Owens and Robert Graves out there (am i the only one?).

Outside the city I like South Whidbey Island. Lots of great views, lots of interesting artists who gladly let you tour their workshops (and drink their wine!) and little sea side towns like Popeye villages.

Oh, and your local 7-11. The slurpee! Your favorite flavor + vodka is about the best summer treat you can imagine.

I

Love

Slurpees!

[dang, now I'm going to go buy one on the way home]

CHRIS Wrote:
"the keen of the wind as it blows in from Japan bearing the scent of cherry blossoms and salt and sake."

Chris, I am not sure about the scent of sake, however I do believe the scent of cherry blossoms has passed us by. If it's coming from Japan, I would tend to believe the odor is more towards that narcotic blend of mid-summer diesel exhaust coupled with the occasional, pungent smell of open sewer. My God, how I do miss
the heat and humidity of mid-summer Japan. One's senses become so perfectly focused. Every part of oneself becomes so aware and alive.

---Jensen

Any medium to big city outside of washington state with a good arts scene is fair game.

A walk through Cowen Park, located in the area between the Roosevelt and University District neighborhoods, is still very much akin to what walking around North Bend once was. When you really need to get away from it all, however, the best place to go is Orcas Island in the San Juans. You can take your car onto the ferry - not a bad idea since last time I went in 2002, there was no bus from the ferry terminal. Admittedly, that is costly (about $32 in 2002, now you'd need to check with Washington State Ferries). Or take your bicycle and when you get off just start peddling. If there's every a nuclear war, I'd like to be on Orcas when the end is near. If there is indeed a God, he/she/it surely made Orcas in his/her/its image.

I go about 10 miles north of La Push, Cape Alava. That place is epic.

Matt, I planned on hiking from Cape Alava to Rialto this summer but my time is running out and there are other hikes that get a higher priority. My favorite local getaways are the North Fork of the Sol Duc and the upper Bogachiel... Very few people if any at all, warmest river on the Peninsula so perfect for swimming, and it's a rainforest river so the scenery is superlative. I was hiking up there yesterday to go swimming and on the river bar, I ran into a herd of elk and watched them (for a good 30 minutes) dip and drink in the river, bath in the sun, and one of the bulls trying to hump another. After a while they started to notice me and slowly all got up, stood in the river for a few minutes before crossing it, and took off. I walked downstream to a swimming hole and got in. I was thinking to myself while in the water how clear and pure it looked. Then I noticed a brown chunk...then another and another. By the time I realised what was going on it was too late. Trying to swim ashore quickly, I was now being pelted by the freshest elk terds I've ever seen...so fresh, I could see strands of slime hanging off some of them, yuck!

I love La Push! I feel lucky when I can make an escape to that area. I also enjoy Port Townsend and the woods north of Cle Ellum are great in Spring. Heading to Portland during the Fall/Winter months is refreshing. If I leave the region, it's mostly to visit friends in NYC, Minneapolis, Chicago and San Francisco. I don't do nearly enough international travel.

Hansville is the closest place you can go and still feel like you're at the end of the world.

Where is the best place to stay/ camp in La Push?

"assaulted"...HA!

South Whidbey is excellent and close enough (30 minutes north to Mukilteo plus a lovely 20 mnute ferry ride). Langley and Coupeville are both charming and arty with good eats, and there're miles of pristine beaches and hikes and wineries and farmers' stands in between. Pick up a South Whidbey map in Langley and explore from there.

I recommend Lopez Island, if you have relatives there.

Washington is such great place to live and travel around. You have it all: gorgeous and timeless beaches, a magical rainforest, cozy islands, a desert with crystal-blue lakes in Eastern WA, sweeping platues, vineyards, an active volcanoe, and breath-taking mountain ranges to go hiking or climbing.

There's also the most beautiful place to see a concert at the Gorge.

Vancouver BC--one of the most world-class cities in the world--is only 3 hours away (border traffic permitting).

Oregon, with all its own natural beauty and splendor, is less than half a days drive away.

What else am I missing...

I mostly go to the back yard. I can't afford to go out of town these days...

...although my last vacation "away" was in Long Beach, and it was wonderful, albeit much too short.

M, if you wanted to actually stay on the coast, not the San Juans, I would recommend Mora campground. Even better is to hike in if you have the gear. The Cape Alava loop further up north, Rialto-north, Third beach south to Oil City (Hoh head), and Kalaloch (claylock) beaches further south are the main areas. There are also some excellent rainforest campgrounds in the area, and some are free and uncrowded.